was threatened. In fact given the number of times the PM's authority was challenged, the cumulative smirks have nicely measured out into a full blown Tony Blair Grin. A Blairite to the core he will meet resistance by the Brown camp most notably in the shape of Ed Balls. Don't forget that by his calculated announcement that he is to stand down, Brown has bought himself another four months in which to 'tie up loose ends'.Miliband's less than enthusiastic backing of Gordon Brown has made him plenty of enemies in the Brown camp.
At the heart of the new Leadership campaign will be three Labour power couples. Yvette cooper and her husband Ed Balls,Harriet Harman and her trade unionist husband Jack Dromey MP and of course the Miliband brothers.
Who will prevail? Well Ed balls and Yvette Cooper are severely handicapped by their closeness to Brown.
David Miliband has for long been considered the 'natural heir' and it is hard to see his brother standing against him. He is also odds on favourite at most of the bookmakers. However given the fact that Harriet Harman has tonight categorically ruled herself out on Newsnight in the now age old tradition at 10/1 she may be worth a punt. She comes across as a Labour Thatcher and her union connections may be seen as an asset
at a time when strikes are very much on the cards.
